Whether they are the master-of-the-corny-joke, or whether you've never even met them, we can all appreciate a dad and learn something from them. Merrill and Justin Osmond talk about their own fathers, what it was like growing up in an Osmond household, and what fathers can do to make a positive impact on their children.

Whether they are the master-of-the-corny-joke, or whether you've never even met them, we can all appreciate a dad and learn something from them. Merrill and Justin Osmond talk about their own fathers, what it was like growing up in an Osmond household, and what fathers can do to make a positive impact on their children.

Celebrating Fatherhood

Surrounded by screaming fans at Madison Square Garden, Justin Osmond watched his dad and uncles onstage perform some of the hits that made the Osmonds mega-stars of the 1970's. However, Justin's profound hearing loss prevented him from understanding what his own father was singing about. In the middle of 20,000 people, Justin had never felt more alone.

Surrounded by screaming fans at Madison Square Garden, Justin Osmond watched his dad and uncles onstage perform some of the hits that made the Osmonds mega-stars of the 1970's. However, Justin's profound hearing loss prevented him from understanding what his own father was singing about. In the middle of 20,000 people, Justin had never felt more alone.

Alone in the Crowd

One of the requirements for the Osmond Brothers to perform on "The Andy Williams Show" was to do something new each week. One particular week, the show centered on ice skating and featured Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming. Wanting to perform, the brothers spent the next week learning to skate, and on set pulled off a spectacular routine in one take.

One of the requirements for the Osmond Brothers to perform on "The Andy Williams Show" was to do something new each week. One particular week, the show centered on ice skating and featured Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming. Wanting to perform, the brothers spent the next week learning to skate, and on set pulled off a spectacular routine in one take.

Hard Work and Burning Skates

In the early years, Olive Osmond spent countless hours with her older two sons helping them adapt to profound hearing loss. Later on, when the younger sons and daughter achieved worldwide success, she set up a foundation to help children everywhere find the tools and education to better adapt to hearing loss. Today, Justin continues her work with others in the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund--a labor of love that's brought as much joy to him as it has to the recipients.

In the early years, Olive Osmond spent countless hours with her older two sons helping them adapt to profound hearing loss. Later on, when the younger sons and daughter achieved worldwide success, she set up a foundation to help children everywhere find the tools and education to better adapt to hearing loss. Today, Justin continues her work with others in the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund--a labor of love that's brought as much joy to him as it has to the recipients.

The Olive Branch

In the early 1970's, Elvis Presley recommended that the Osmond brothers get ahold of a friend of his--Chuck Norris. The brothers began to learn Tang Soo Do karate, and during one of their workouts Norris did a roundhouse kick that accidentally struck Merrill--shattering his back. And through it all, a powerful lesson learned.

In the early 1970's, Elvis Presley recommended that the Osmond brothers get ahold of a friend of his--Chuck Norris. The brothers began to learn Tang Soo Do karate, and during one of their workouts Norris did a roundhouse kick that accidentally struck Merrill--shattering his back. And through it all, a powerful lesson learned.

Rising After the Fall

Born with profound hearing loss into a very musical family, Justin Osmond immediately had his work cut out for him. He was told there was no way to play a musical instrument. One day, after turning off his hearing aids, he put a violin up to his chin and discovered he could "hear" the violin through the vibrations of the strings. That, coupled with hard work and help from others, allowed Justin to defy the odds and master the violin.

Born with profound hearing loss into a very musical family, Justin Osmond immediately had his work cut out for him. He was told there was no way to play a musical instrument. One day, after turning off his hearing aids, he put a violin up to his chin and discovered he could "hear" the violin through the vibrations of the strings. That, coupled with hard work and help from others, allowed Justin to defy the odds and master the violin.

Making the Impossible Possible

One of the Osmond family's close friends was the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. He treated Olive Osmond as if she were his own mother. When Elvis and the Osmonds were both performing in Las Vegas, he offered the brothers a bit of advice that has stuck with the entire family in the five decades since.

One of the Osmond family's close friends was the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. He treated Olive Osmond as if she were his own mother. When Elvis and the Osmonds were both performing in Las Vegas, he offered the brothers a bit of advice that has stuck with the entire family in the five decades since.

The King and Kindness

When Justin Osmond was born, it wasn't common to screen newborns for hearing loss. It wasn't until he was almost two years old that doctors told Merrill and Mary Osmond that their son had profound hearing loss. After being fitted for bulky hearing aids, Justin began the long process of trying to catch up with his peers. Along the way, he became aware of his deaf accent and longed to sound "normal" like other kids. His mom taught him to pay more attention to WHO he was, not WHAT he was. Justin doesn't just call his parents "heroes", he calls them "hear-oes". :-)

When Justin Osmond was born, it wasn't common to screen newborns for hearing loss. It wasn't until he was almost two years old that doctors told Merrill and Mary Osmond that their son had profound hearing loss. After being fitted for bulky hearing aids, Justin began the long process of trying to catch up with his peers. Along the way, he became aware of his deaf accent and longed to sound "normal" like other kids. His mom taught him to pay more attention to WHO he was, not WHAT he was. Justin doesn't just call his parents "heroes", he calls them "hear-oes". :-)

Embracing Who You Are

When George and Olive Osmond's first two sons were born with profound hearing loss, doctors cautioned the couple to not have any more children. George and Olive's next four sons were blessed not only with full hearing, but excellent voices as well. Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond began singing to raise money for hearing aids for their older two brothers, Virl and Tom. As Donny, Marie, and Jimmy joined their brothers, the Osmonds began a six decade journey that included over 100 million records, sold-out concerts around the world and a charity organization that has raised over $6 billion to support children.

When George and Olive Osmond's first two sons were born with profound hearing loss, doctors cautioned the couple to not have any more children. George and Olive's next four sons were blessed not only with full hearing, but excellent voices as well. Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond began singing to raise money for hearing aids for their older two brothers, Virl and Tom. As Donny, Marie, and Jimmy joined their brothers, the Osmonds began a six decade journey that included over 100 million records, sold-out concerts around the world and a charity organization that has raised over $6 billion to support children.

Singing for Hearing:  Why the Osmond Brothers Got Started

Justin Osmond was born with profound hearing loss into a family known around the world for their musical talents. Through countless hours of speech therapy and hard work, Justin was able to overcome enormous obstacles to become a noted author, motivational speaker, and yes, musician. A few years ago, when he heard about 25 students in southern Utah needing new hearing aids, Justin knew he wanted to do something to help. With the help of his father Merrill Osmond, his mom, family, and aunt Marie Osmond, Justin ran over a marathon a day in order to raise money for the hearing impaired. This is his story.

Justin Osmond was born with profound hearing loss into a family known around the world for their musical talents. Through countless hours of speech therapy and hard work, Justin was able to overcome enormous obstacles to become a noted author, motivational speaker, and yes, musician. A few years ago, when he heard about 25 students in southern Utah needing new hearing aids, Justin knew he wanted to do something to help. With the help of his father Merrill Osmond, his mom, family, and aunt Marie Osmond, Justin ran over a marathon a day in order to raise money for the hearing impaired. This is his story.

250 Miles for 25 Kids

Imagine being born into a world-famous singing family, without the ability to hear and understand music. Justin Osmond can relate. But he's not sorry. He says significant hearing loss was a blessing in disguise. Join Justin Osmond and his famous father Merrill Osmond, lead singer of the Osmonds, as they talk about what they've both learned from fame, fortune and family in Sound Advice. It's a weekly video podcast sure to inspire.

You would think that an entertainment career spanning six decades and 100 million records sold would have begun with a little more glory. For the Osmond Brothers, however, it began with an audition snub from a popular TV show and a father's decision to go to Disneyland. Through a series of "flukes", that family trip to 'The Happiest Place on Earth' ended up catching the attention of Walt Disney himself. A summer gig at the theme park led to an appearance on a TV special that caught the attention of Andy Williams' father, and a one-week appearance on The Andy Williams Show turned into an 8-year run--including the new additions of Donny, Marie, and Jimmy Osmond.

You would think that an entertainment career spanning six decades and 100 million records sold would have begun with a little more glory. For the Osmond Brothers, however, it began with an audition snub from a popular TV show and a father's decision to go to Disneyland. Through a series of "flukes", that family trip to 'The Happiest Place on Earth' ended up catching the attention of Walt Disney himself. A summer gig at the theme park led to an appearance on a TV special that caught the attention of Andy Williams' father, and a one-week appearance on The Andy Williams Show turned into an 8-year run--including the new additions of Donny, Marie, and Jimmy Osmond.

Audition Snubs and Disneyland:  How the Osmond Brothers Got Started

Legendary

Merrill and Justin Osmond knock it out of the park.  It’s nice to have a high-octane, feel-good message you can watch in just a couple of minutes.  Keep up the great work!

Love This!  Inspirational, informative and fun!

Sound Advice with the Osmonds

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